In Malaysia, for both women who have recently given birth and patients who have undergone surgery, chances are that the first anecdotal advice received will relate to the consumption of the ikan haruan (lit. haruan fish) to aid in the healing of internal wounds. An interesting article on the Malaysia Ministry of Energy, Water, and Communication community portal, the information of which is translated and expanded upon here, highlights some benefits of the haruan.
Taxonomy of Ikan Haruan
This carnivorous fish is commonly found in the fresh waters of Southeast Asia. The parent species is classified into two main categories, the bigger sized Channa melanostoma, known as ikan toman, and the smaller sized Channa striatus, known as ikan haruan. According to Professor Abdul Manan Mat Jais of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), this fish is in the category order of Channiformes, family Channidae, and genus Channa. There exist 30 species worldwide, with four found in Peninsula Malaysia, eight in Sarawak, and two in Sabah.
Natural Fresh Water Habitat
The haruan is unique among animals of the fish kingdom in that it practices monogamy and is strongly territorial. It is a very versatile fish that can live in both still or flowing water, as well as in shallow and muddy waters. Natural breeding grounds, however, include ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, paddy fields, and estuaries. Rumor has it that a giant haruan the size of a human torso had once been caught by a local fisherman. On average, however, these fish weigh only about one kilogram.
Excellent Nutritional Values
Research has shown that the haruan has a high vitamin A content, and at 60-70% of body mass, its protein content is also sizeable. Its fat content is low compared to other fresh water fish, and also compared to other poultry such as beef, lamb, and chicken. Meanwhile, toxic heavy metals commonly found in fish, such as manganese, nickel, and lead, have been found only in minute quantities in the haruan, negligible compared to the levels approved by general health standards.
High in Essential Fatty Acids
An essential omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, is found in abundance in the haruan’s meat while the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, is non-existent. This is a very interesting discovery as their metabolic interactions usually go hand-in-hand in competing pathways. AA is known to be essential for the repair and growth of skeletal muscle tissue, and plays an important role in the inflammatory process. Poor wound healing is characteristic of omega-6 deficiency symptoms. The haruan also contains high levels of amino acids important in the wound healing process. These include glutamic and aspartic acid, as well as glycine, an important component of collagen in the skin.
Its mucosa membrane contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. Compared to its meat, the haruan’s eggs contain even higher levels of these acids, and it follows that arachidonic acid levels are also proportionally higher. Thus an optimal amount of fatty acid can be obtained from the haruan’s eggs instead of consuming the fish itself.
Multiple Health Benefits
The consumption of ikan haruan not only facilitates the wound healing process but also reduces the pain associated with post-surgical recovery. It has been found that haruan essence assists with the effects of morphine. There have also been preliminary findings related to antibacterial properties, and local researchers are focusing on efforts to identify the species associated with the relief of stomach ulcers.
Commercial Opportunities
According to Wan Jusoh Zakaria, CEO of Cheroh Aquatic, local demand for the haruan is very high. Favorite among locals is the fish that lives in natural habitats and is in the mid-size range, weighing between 300 to 500 g. The market for live haruan as well as haruan eggs is very active, but commercial farming activities have not necessarily been very successful due to the special breeding needs of the haruan. The Malaysian state of Selangor is the largest commercial distributor of the haruan (true at time of original article publication).
Delicious fried, barbequed, or made into a soup, the benefits of the haruan's medicinal properties can be enjoyed by all manner of discerning palates.
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